Washington and Lee Presents ‘W&L Dancers Create…’ The W&L Repertory Dance Company will perform ‘W&L Dancers Create…’ on Nov. 3–5.

By W&L News Office
October 31, 2022

Washington and Lee University’s award-winning W&L Repertory Dance Company will perform ‘W&L Dancers Create…’ at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3–5 at the Lenfest Center for the Arts on the W&L campus.

Under the artistic direction of Jenefer Davies — professor of dance and theater and chair of the Department of Theater, Dance and Film Studies at W&L — the concert is comprised of work choreographed, designed and performed by students, showcasing the diversity and talent within the department.

The show features eight works, including two aerial works that push the boundaries of contemporary dance and immerse the audience in movement designed for vertical space. One is the culmination of four years of research and performance on silks by Kate Fisher ’23. The second, choreographed and performed Michell Lin ’25, is the product of her summer independent study in lyra, an apparatus that consists of a circular steel hoop.

In addition to aerial works, Irina Koleva ’23 choreographed a modern dance featuring elements of jazz that looks at sensory dysregulation and its effects on the body. She also contributes “Хубава си, моя горo,” a trio based on traditional Bulgarian folk dance, a style that is core to her identity and the first she studied as a child.

Using contemporary pointe as her mode of expression, Angela Tu ’24 explores the concept of relationships through a duet with Charlotte Peete ’24. She also created “Rooted,” a group number that blends contemporary modern with elements of hip-hop to create a dynamic statement on empowerment.

Guest artist Shaleigh Comerford, visiting professor of dance at W&L, completed a residency with W&L dance in which she set an excerpt adapted from her larger work “The In-Between” that celebrates pushing the boundaries of conformity to rebellion.

The concert also includes a dance piece in memory and celebration of the life of artist and musician Jimmy Deck, who was married to Liza Deck, adjunct professor of dance at W&L.

Under the direction of Shawn Paul Evans, professor of theater at W&L, lighting design students will manage the lights for some of the student works. Evans also lends his creative design skills for this performance.

“One of the outcomes of this performance is to give the students a practice-as-research experience in the arts,” said Davies. “In doing so, we provide them with the tools necessary to express themselves through their art form across disciplines. One of the beautiful results of such a collaboration is the advancement of faculty-led and peer-to-peer teaching, which empowers students to embrace experiential learning and explore their world together.”

Call the Lenfest Center box office at 540-458-8000 to reserve tickets, or order them online.